Cox cable will carry SEC Network when it launches in August

The Florida Gators, along with Florida Gators head coach Will Muschamp, take to the field against LSU in Baton Rouge in this Oct.12, 2013 file photo. The SEC Network, which will focus on these teams and others in the Southeastern Conference, will be carried on Cox cable.

Published: Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at 11:39 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, July 9, 2014 at 10:38 p.m.

Area cable viewers who were starting to worry that they might not have access to the new SEC Network this fall can take a deep breath and relax now. The network is coming to their television sets.

Cox Communications, the main cable provider in Gainesville, Ocala and surrounding areas, and ESPN announced Wednesday that the nation's third-largest cable provider has picked up the SEC Network.

The network launches on Aug. 14 and will be available in all Cox markets for subscribers with basic digital cable (what Cox calls its "TV Essential" package of channels) at no additional cost. Cox has not determined yet on what channel the network will appear, but it also will be available in HD, according to Cox spokesman Cam Johnson.

"Cox is home to some of the biggest fans with five SEC schools in our markets," said Jill Campbell, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Cox Communications. "This is great news for alumni and fans across our footprint who will enjoy all the action and rivalries that have become synonymous with SEC sports."

It's also big news for the SEC, which is striving to make its new network a national one that is available in all parts of the country, and not just in the Southeast region.

"The addition of Cox is another very important step in the development of the SEC Network, bringing millions more viewers nationwide to the network when it launches on Aug. 14," SEC commissioner Mike Slive said. "As one of the largest cable television distributors in the U.S., including five states in the SEC footprint, this agreement with Cox has a significant impact on exposure for the SEC."

ESPN said there has been a strong demand by cable viewers (in this area and other parts of the country) for Cox and other cable companies to carry the SEC Network.

"The groundswell of consumer and affiliate demand increases by the day, and we continue to build on our momentum with the announcement of Cox Communications as our latest distributor that will deliver the SEC Network to fans at launch," said Sean Breen, Disney and ESPN Media Networks senior vice president for affiliate sales.

Cox serves more than six million residences and businesses.

The SEC Network and its accompanying digital platform will air more than 1,000 live events in its first year, including at least 45 exclusive SEC football games, more than 100 men's basketball games, 60 women's basketball games, 75 baseball games, 50 softball games and events across all the SEC's 21 sports.

The SEC and ESPN have signed a 20-year agreement through 2034 to operate the network. The league also has agreements with AT&T U-verse, DISH, Google Fiber and NRTC to carry the network.

"I think more than anything else, it's going to give a unbelievable presence to the total league," UF athletic director Jeremy Foley said at the SEC spring meetings in May. "From the fan's point of view, a lot of great athletic competition. … That's what is exciting for me, giving all the programs (in all sports) tremendous exposure."

The SEC Network already is scheduled to carry numerous UF events, including home football games against Eastern Michigan (Sept. 6) and Kentucky (Sept. 13). The network also will televise four Florida soccer games and nine Gator volleyball matches. Additional events will be announced at a later date.

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